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Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas · Public university
Address: Administration Bldg 200, 1509 N Boulder Ave, Russellville, AR 72801 · Phone: (479) 968-0389 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Dec 2024 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · American Occupational Therapy Association; Apr 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Arkansas Tech University is a public trade and career school in Russellville, Arkansas, offering LPN/LVN, EMT & paramedic, and welding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and others.
Median graduate debt is $21,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,766, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; the campus completion rate versus the state average of 57.3% is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Arkansas Tech University, but federal financial aid can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 33.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $44,670 | $56,620 | $61,220 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,370 | $36,230 | $41,670 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,380 | $47,970 | $55,280 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $30,320 | $44,160 | $57,910 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $33,400 | $38,680 | $45,470 |
| Medical records specialists | $33,920 | $41,740 | $51,440 |
| Medical assistants | $30,840 | $37,760 | $42,900 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,040 | $48,110 | $59,760 |
| Nursing assistants | $28,840 | $34,430 | $36,070 |
| Construction laborers | $30,850 | $37,630 | $44,320 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,920 | $28,830 | $33,730 |
| Machinists | $37,760 | $51,140 | $61,380 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,870 | $37,450 | $42,180 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $33,500 | $46,170 | $64,970 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Arkansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 47 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 44 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 36 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Associate degree | 32 | not reported | $36,134 | $22,365 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 17 | $39,422 | $37,208 | $13,237 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 15 | $39,422 | $37,208 | $13,237 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | $39,422 | $37,208 | $13,237 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | $51,992 | not reported | $11,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Arkansas Tech University is a public university in Russellville, Arkansas, that also serves as a trade and career training campus offering 28 program tracks. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, applies here because the school participates in Title IV programs. The campus holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Higher Learning Commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Its most-completed trade programs are LPN/LVN programs (68 completers), EMT & paramedic training (58 completers), and welding schools (53 completers), among a broader lineup that includes HVAC, cosmetology, CNC machining, culinary arts, and more.
Across the school, 485 students completed trade-related programs, out of an undergraduate enrollment of 5,388. The state average completion rate is 57.3%, though this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,766. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 33.9% of students receive Pell Grants, pointing to a substantial share of lower-income students enrolled.
This campus fits students pursuing short, hands-on credentials in fields like LPN nursing, EMT training, or welding, alongside those in longer associate or bachelor's tracks, since it operates as a full public university located in a remote town setting. Career changers should confirm specific program lengths and schedules directly with the school, since that detail isn't part of this data set. To verify accreditation status and review updated outcome figures, check the listed accreditors directly or consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Arkansas Tech University offers 28 program tracks, with the most-completed being LPN/LVN programs, EMT & paramedic training, and welding schools. Other program families include HVAC, cosmetology, CNC machining, medical assisting, and culinary arts.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Its accreditors include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Higher Learning Commission, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used. About 33.9% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus-specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate is 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,766, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly at (479) 968-0389 or visit https://www.atu.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state-funded programs, though specific tuition figures aren't reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data set. Contact the school directly to confirm schedule and duration for specific programs like LPN, EMT, or welding.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Higher Learning Commission, or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Outcome data can be checked at the College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?106467.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both short trade credentials (LPN, EMT, welding) and longer degree programs, which may suit career changers seeking flexible options, though specific scheduling for adult learners is not reported in this data.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Arkansas Tech University at (479) 968-0389 or through its website at https://www.atu.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data set does not include comparative figures for nearby schools. Use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?106467 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across schools.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.